Meet The Fludes
David Flude is the Honorary Secretary of the newly formed European Cryonics Support Group.(ECSG) He and his wife, May May (Hong Kong Chinese,) live in Eastbourne on the South Coast of the UK. They became CI Members in April 2001. David is 58, now retired and is a professional investor. This interview was conducted by e-mail, with questions similar to those we asked Brian O’Neill for the last issue.
Q. How did you first hear about Cryonics?
A. I'm a keen Sci Fi fan so I must have seen the idea of cryonics in movies
like Star Trek. The first article I read on it was by Carl Sagan in Omni
Magazine.It always seemed so logical.
Q. How long did it take you to join?
A. About 8 years! I thought it was only millionaires who could afford to
join. Then I found out that it only cost around $1.50 a day for Life Insurance.
I joined Alcor (at the time I wasn't aware of the existence of CI). This
was in 1994 and May May joined the next year.
Q. Are you a member of CI or IS or both?
A. At the moment we just belong to CI.
Q. How does your family feel about your interest in cryonics?
A. My Mother is 95 so I haven't asked her although I have dropped a few hints.
My Stepfather is dead (no pun intended) against the idea-he said he wants
to be buried in his garden! Is that loony or what? I also think any one that
chooses to be buried or cremated is totally nuts. Nevertheless my stepfather
did sign an Affidavit to say he won't oppose my wishes. Of course there is
no problem with May May because she is coming with me!
Q. Anything else you want to tell us about yourself, family, interests,
job, pastimes, etc.
A. Sure-I'm a big Star Trek "Voyager" fan. I would like to come back when
this is Science Fact not Fiction & have a chance to fly a Starship. Other
Sci Fi movie favourites- “When Worlds Collide,” Ray Bradbury's
“Martian Chronicles,” “Star Troopers.”
Other favourite movies-"Funny Lady" (Streisand), "Ghost", "Dumb And Dumber", "Forever Young".
Soaps-"Cheers", "Frazier" almost any Comedy.
Hates-"The Weakest Link"-I just can't stand that programme!
Favourite Singers-Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez. Actors-Barbra Streisand for her zany humour, Richard Burton for his wonderful Welsh voice. Heroes-Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Ettinger, Eric K. Drexler, Tiger Woods, Jona Lomu (Rugby Star),Uri Geller, Woody Allen.
Hobbies #1 is being involved in Cryonics. I am honorary Secretary of the European Cryonics Support Group (ECSG)an organization specifically set up to support CI Members in Europe.
This is rapidly becoming a full time job as the group grows. Being a CI member I believe it makes sense to support the organization that will be taking care of you for maybe 100 years. CI is a great organization led by an incredible man-Bob Ettinger. Both May May and I are proud to be doing a little to help CI.
Other interests are Travel, watching Rugby, Golf, Athletics, Photography, Sub Tropical Gardening I have 4 metre Palm Trees growing in my English garden), Modern Design & Architecture, Chinese culture.
Q. Most memorable events in your life?
A. Assassination of JFK, the Moon Landing (this convinced me that "Nothing
is Impossible" and I remain an eternal optimist ) and marrying May May 14
years ago.
Q. Do you have any goals for the future?
A. You bet, coming back for a new life is the first and most incredibly exciting
one. Others, I have set myself a target of getting the CI Membership in the
UK up to 100 by 2009. Living as long as possible in this present body seems
logical but I will be the first to want cyborg implants, if I get that chance.
Finally May May and I are determined to visit Japan one day.
